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Checks on goods arriving into the UK post-Brexit, including those due to be carried out at the new control post at Portsmouth’s port, will be reduced in a bid to speed up border crossings.

The government has delayed the introduction of checks several times but on Wednesday (April 5) it published its draft Border Target Operating Model (TOM) which it said would ‘create the most effective border in the world’.

But port representatives have warned it is likely that these measures will mean investment made into border control posts, such as the £25m ‘white elephant’ in Portsmouth, will have been ‘wasted’.

SEE ALSO: Number of empty homes across Portsmouth area has risen in the last decade

Mike Sellers, port director at Portsmouth International Port in the roof space at Border Control Post.

Picture: Sarah Standing (040722-1272) — Mike Sellers, port director at Portsmouth International Port in the roof space at Border Control Post. Picture: Sarah Standing (040722-1272)

Under the new model, export certificates will be required of goods deemed as having a medium risk from November but these will now no longer be needed for low-risk products. And from February next year, documentary and physical checks at border control posts will also be introduced.

This includes the purpose-built facility at Portsmouth’s port, constructed in anticipation of the earlier introduction of checks that were later abandoned.

Port owner Portsmouth City Council has repeatedly criticised the government for its handling of the facility with the council only receiving £17m of its total cost while it has laid empty since being built. The council has considered alternative uses for the building but said this would be expensive.

Portsmouth's £25m 'white elephant' at International Port could be made redundant by new border control rules

SEE ALSO: Number of empty homes across Portsmouth area has risen in the last decade